advice on breeing mbuna?

[Mark13]

someone must have some good advice on getting my mbuna to breed? please help! there are three different species in my tank: Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos maingano, Labidochromis Caeruleus electric yellow, and Melanochromis Johanni. all advice is deeply appreciated please help thank you

The water change trick at a slightly lower temp will work, but it might take several over a few weeks to simulate rainy season.

And, you do not have too many in that tank as long as you have 33% to 50% more hiding places than the number of fish. The more you crowd African Cichlids, the better they get along. But for that to work, you need the extra hiding places. In a 40g tank, you could have 25 (3) inch Mbunas, if your filter can keep up with the fish-load, if you do 20% to 30% water changes each and every week, and if you have the extra hiding places.

The Johanni might over power the others, though. If you like the blue color, but run into problems with the Johani, then think about replacing them with Demasoni Mbuna.

Also, it can be very hard to tell if the Mbuna have spawned, because you have to be able to see the slight change in their mouths or jawlines that show they are carrying eggs or fry. The mouth will appear wider than normal at the rear end of the jawbone.
But this change can be very hard to see if the species is new to you.

---Mark13
The bad part of having

 

[fishman9188]

You shouldn't really have to kick start them. They will take care of it on their own. One thing to be carefull is since you have several different types they will coss breed. I have always found that the Johanni take a little longer to start. The yellow labs will start breeding really soon as long as you do have males and females. At a young age it can be kinda hard to tell sometimes.

 

[Wctroublesome561]

nice i will try that. do you know how long they will be when they start mating?

 

[Regalblue]

.good water quality & good diet

 

[Wctroublesome561]

i actually want hybrids. i am trying to make my own "species". thats why i was wondering what the purple mbuna species is called?

 

[vass69]

+1 water changes & good diet.

 

[jus1time]

The purple ones could be Metriclima Callianos. Can you post pics?
As far as cross breeding them you may not like what you get. I have seen some of those type crosses and they are not pretty. They come out dull colored and mottled. They look like true crosses and will be hard to get rid of. But if your intent on doing it, good luck!

 

[Wctroublesome561]

at what size do the peacock cichlids change color?